Front end allignment
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 1,017
Likes: 229
From: Bay City Michigan
Front end allignment
Car was driving funny on some roads so took it to my guy who I trust with all of my cars (dealer said it would not be covered under warranty) He did a alignment on the fronts, both had too much camber and toe in. He said with 4300 miles on the car the fronts don't have a lot of life left, be lucky to get 10000 miles. So my question before I bitch to the dealer is will they do anything for me? I remember when I had my old CTS-V they told me too bad on the tire wear its a performance car! Now that the alignment is better I noticed a change right away on how it runs. Thanks for the info!
Race Director
Joined: Jun 2000
Posts: 13,733
Likes: 66
From: Hurst, TX USA
Factory alignment is chancy at best, but I doubt you will get any satisfaction from the dealer. On a new car the dealer is supposed to do a free alignment in the first 500 miles if the owner asks. Since you didn't ask... I ran through two sets of tires on my 2005 in less than 25K miles before I wised up. My new car will have a alignment to street specs in a week or so.
Drifting
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 1,258
Likes: 99
From: O'Fallon Illinois - Currently own a 2016 Z06 1LZ A8 Coupe
I had my local Chevy dealer do a 4-wheel alignment and set the camber to 0 degrees, since the front tires were wearing on the inside. They stated a lot of Vette owners do this (when they are not tracked) to allow the tires to wear more evenly, allowing for more miles to the tires.
MT
MT
Pro
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 612
Likes: 1
From: Boston
Toe is not the only problem. You should tone down the negative camber while you're at it. It will make the car far more civilized to drive and save on tire wear at the same time.
Toe: 0
Camber: -.4 degrees
Toe: 0
Camber: -.4 degrees
Last edited by ptaylor_9849; Jun 21, 2012 at 09:56 PM.
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2000
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From: Far NW 'burbs of Chicago
St. Jude Donor '13
Tech Contributor
Joined: Oct 1999
Posts: 41,044
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From: Charlotte, NC (formerly Endicott, NY)
The rear control arm cam slipped on my 97 and toed the left rear tire in considerably along with adding a lot of positive camber. At one track even I could hear the tire squealing badly while going around a long right hand turn. At the next autocross I noticed I was getting cords on the outside of the left rear. At 4500 miles I took it to the dealer and they warrantied the rear tires and gave me a new alignment.
It never hurts to inquire about things. All they can say is it isn't covered. Not like they are going to hit you over the head with a ball bat.
Bill
It never hurts to inquire about things. All they can say is it isn't covered. Not like they are going to hit you over the head with a ball bat.
Bill
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 5,611
Likes: 5
From: Thousand Oaks California
Car was driving funny on some roads so took it to my guy who I trust with all of my cars (dealer said it would not be covered under warranty) He did a alignment on the fronts, both had too much camber and toe in. He said with 4300 miles on the car the fronts don't have a lot of life left, be lucky to get 10000 miles. So my question before I bitch to the dealer is will they do anything for me? I remember when I had my old CTS-V they told me too bad on the tire wear its a performance car! Now that the alignment is better I noticed a change right away on how it runs. Thanks for the info!
You can always call customer assistance.
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Melting Slicks
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 2,715
Likes: 1
From: Central Florida
Where is this stated? Just ordered a new 2013 and asked the service manager if he would give an alignment according to the Pfadt street recommendations. Said he would not do that and proceeded to state he would only use what GM says. Was a little taken back by this especially to someone looking to purchase a new car.
Race Director
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 14,999
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From: Bay Area Ca.
Always a wise move to have alinement performed on a new car. When purchasing the car ask that a alignment be part of the purchase, on them of course.
I run the Pfadt street specs and like how the car handles and the tire wear.
I run the Pfadt street specs and like how the car handles and the tire wear.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jan 2005
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From: Thousand Oaks California
Race Director
Joined: Sep 2000
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From: Missouri City, TX
I have been told by my local dealer on a 98 Suburban that GM will reimburse dealers for realignment within the first 12/12. Therefore makeup an excuse like the vehicle is pulling to the side and they would check it. I have seen that posted here numerous times by CF members as well. Probably an internal GM agreement with the nationwide dealership network.
Race Director
Joined: Sep 2000
Posts: 11,139
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From: Missouri City, TX
Vettes have been know to come out of BG with faulty alignments. When St Louis plant was still in operation, an office colleague bought a new 78 vette that had alignment off so bad that the rear tires worn out at 10k. Dealer realigned the car and provided new tires under warranty (no cost to the owner).
7th Gear
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 7
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From: Maplewood Minnesota
GM service bulletin #05-03-07-009C dated Feb 8, 2012 states that they will cover an alignment up to 10,000 miles. I am currently working with the dealer on new tires for the rear because of the alignment problem. I have 9900 miles on the car, 2011 GS. They have agreed to participate 50% for 2 new tires through the GM warranty plan. But I say that price they gave me is too much. So we'll what happens.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Apr 2011
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Le Mans Master
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 5,611
Likes: 5
From: Thousand Oaks California
GM service bulletin #05-03-07-009C dated Feb 8, 2012 states that they will cover an alignment up to 10,000 miles. I am currently working with the dealer on new tires for the rear because of the alignment problem. I have 9900 miles on the car, 2011 GS. They have agreed to participate 50% for 2 new tires through the GM warranty plan. But I say that price they gave me is too much. So we'll what happens.